"Laws, Miss Kitty, yo' warn't in de house an' we didn't know when yo' 'spected to be back," Mandy explained. "Oscar had to catch the three o'clock train to get there to-night." "The three o'clock train," Kitty repeated. "The three o'clock train _this afternoon_." "Yes, Miss Kitty." "But--" Kitty passed a bewildered hand across her forehead. "Oscar was here at five o'clock--here at this house." "Here?" Mandy's eyes opened, showing the whites more clearly. "What yo' talkin' 'bout, Miss Kitty?" "Oscar was here this afternoon at five o'clock," Kitty stated, speaking more deliberately so as to make certain that Mandy understood what she said. "I overheard him talking to a woman just outside the library door." "Yo' did!" Mandy's uplifted voice as well as her expression registered complete astonishment. "Did yo' see him?" "No. I tell you I overheard him talking to a woman." Kitty's temper was gaining the upper hand, and she spoke with warmth. "I know Oscar's voice, Mandy." "Yes, Miss Kitty," but the old colored woman still looked unconvinced. "Dar's a heap o' niggers talks jes' like Oscar. Is yo' sure it warn't dat worthless 'Rastus from nex' do'?" "I know it was not 'Rastus," declared Kitty, with emphasis. "Besides, the woman, in speaking to Oscar, addressed him by name." "She did?" Mandy fell back a step and stared at Kitty. "Oh, go 'way, Miss Kitty, yo' been dreamin'--why, 'twarn't possible. I went to de depot with Oscar my own self an' saw Oscar get on dat train, an' it done pull out fo' Front Royal at three o'clock this afternoon." It was Kitty's turn to stare at Mandy. The old woman's beady black eyes did not shift their gaze. A full minute passed before Kitty broke the silence. "When did you return, Mandy?" she asked. "'Bout six or a few minutes after," Mandy said. "I come upstairs an' listened to hear ef yo' was in de house. I didn't hear nuffin' an' didn't see no light, so I went back to de kitchen to get dinner. I s'posed yo' hadn't come in." "I was lying down--" Mandy's worried expression changed to one of relief and she did not permit Kitty to finish her sentence. "Dar now, I 'spects yo' jes' drap off to sleep an' dreamed 'bout Oscar bein' hyar," she exclaimed. "Dat was it, Honey, dat was it!" "Oh, was that it?" Kitty's voice lacked heartiness. "All right, Mandy. Serve dinner when it is ready." "Yes, Miss Kitty; it won't be a minute now. I'se got a real tasty chicken a broilin'. Jes' go set down, chile; trust ole Mandy to look after yo'." And she gave the girl's arm a friendly squeeze as Kitty passed her to go into the dining room.